bluegrass

noun

blue·​grass ˈblü-ˌgras 

1

: any of several grasses (genus Poa) of which some have bluish-green culms

especially : kentucky bluegrass

2

[from the Blue Grass Boys, performing group, from Bluegrass state, nickname of Kentucky] : country music characterized by the use of unamplified stringed instruments (such as banjo, fiddle, guitar, and mandolin), by free improvisation, and by close usually high-pitched harmony

Examples of bluegrass in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

One of the film’s most memorable sequences has the protagonists disguising themselves as a bluegrass band called the Soggy Bottom Boys. — Britt Hayes, Entertainment Weekly, 18 July 2026

Running through July 25 in various locales across town and famously covering myriad genres — jazz, big band, folk, bluegrass, pop, piano, chamber music, opera and symphonic — this year’s programming focuses on Beethoven. — Randy McMullen, Mercury News, 16 July 2026

Or stick around for a bar crawl through Old Town Alexandria, bluegrass at the Postal Museum, and the return of the Loudoun County Fair. — Fritz Hahn, Washington Post, 16 July 2026

The Seth Mitchell Band’s monthly bluegrass residency at 49 West, with special guest Josh Tobias. — Staff Report, Baltimore Sun, 8 July 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1751, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing bluegrass

• Kentucky bluegrass
• rough bluegrass

Rhymes for bluegrass

• alas
• amass
• bromegrass
• bypass
• crabgrass
• crevasse
• eelgrass
• eyeglass
• groundmass
• harass
• impasse
• jackass

Kids Definition

bluegrass

noun

blue·​grass -ˌgras 

1

: any of several grasses with usually bluish green stems

especially : Kentucky bluegrass

2

: country music played on a small group of instruments (as banjo, fiddle, and mandolin) with melody or harmony often made up by players during a performance

Geographical Definition

Bluegrass

geographical name

Blue·​grass ˈblü-ˌgras 

region of central Kentucky where Kentucky bluegrass abounds that is noted for the breeding of fine horses